THE LITTLE EGRET. 15 



they often leave the nest, according to Seebohm, and perch on the adjoining 

 branches to wait for their parents' arrival with food. Their first years' plumage is 

 very similar to that of the adult in winter ; the bill is yellow, .and the neck and 

 back plumes are wanting. 



The Great White Heron has often been kept in captivity in menageries, and 

 on account of its beauty, by those who can afford it suitable enclosures. It is 

 said to become very tame, and to live contentedly and on friendly terms with 

 common fowls. The late Lord Lilford, on the other hand, records that, in his 

 experience, its disposition towards its own species, as well as others, is spiteful and 

 hostile. As among other animals, individual Great White Herons may have spoiled 

 tempers and bad dispositions ; so that probably, careful and kindly treatment of 

 the young bird from the nest is required to obtain a docile and amiable pet. 



Family ARDEID/E. 



THE LITTLE EGRET. 



Ardea garzetta, LlNN. 



THIS pretty little species is included among British Birds on the strength of 

 its having occurred within our area, on the 3rd of June, 1870, when a 

 specimen was killed at Countess Weir, on the Bxe. The Little Kgret has a wide 

 distribution, being chiefly abundant in the countries bordering the Mediterranean 

 Sea ; in the valley of the Lower Danube, and in Hungary, it breeds in large 

 numbers ; it occurs, and breeds also, in most parts of Africa, as far south as the 

 Cape. It ranges to India, Ceylon, China, Japan, the north-western regions of the 

 Malayan Archipelago, and even Australia. In Europe it is only a summer 

 migrant, breeding in its southern regions, and only straggling to its northern 

 countries. 



